Crank Love

For Valentine's Day last year, we brought you some images of Dario Pegoretti's Love #3. This year, I thought I'd attempt to channel Bicycling magazine's Style Man and give you some gift giving style tips for the cyclist in your household.

The Beer Jersey
Even before Lance Armstrong made cycling and beer drinking en vogue, with his outward affection for a Shiner Bock, beer and cycling have gone hand-in-hand [or mouth, as it were]. Athough no one can really dispute the sales numbers for these types of jerseys [if they weren't selling, they'd certainly stop making them, right?], but I'm hard pressed to find anyone who wears one. Then again, how many true Schlitz lovers do you see out on the bicycle paths.

If you're considering matching jerseys for you and your sweetie, pass [caution: the advice above should be disregarded for those living in Wisconsin or other beer producing states].

The Pop Culture Jersey
This genre of jersey is reserved for the rock band addict whose favorite black tour t-shirt is tattered and torn by frequent usage and infrequent washing [you know that dilapidated Rolling Stones tongue tee], or for those who can't live without seeing their favorite print or lithograph for 5 minutes [you know the type, the friend who has the matching bag, umbrella, coasters and post card of their favorite wall accessory].

If you're dead set on getting this type of jersey for that special someone even though they don't fit the bill, consider the classic, Rosie the Riveter. Not only is it retro chic, but it has the potential for high jinx with a good Rob Schneider impersonation., "We Can Do It!"

The Charity/Cause Jersey
Nothing says cheap bastard more than contributing to your favorite charity or cause on the behalf of that special someone and then keeping the jersey for yourself.

Seriously, if you're with someone who can truly see giving to help others less fortunate as a gift, then make sure you get them a knock out jersey to match, like the one for Project Rwanda.

The Don't Even Go There...
Italian cycling apparel maker, Castelli, makes some of the finest apparel around, but their new Koori shorts [with matching jersey] has to be right up there with the shorts that looked like cut-off jeans. Purchase only if you're looking to make a splash with the girl who already thinks that you have no fashion sense as this will only serve to confirm that notion, or if you're in the midst of a break-up, as she'll most likely drop you after seeing these out of the box and on her figure.